Fluid quench apparatus

ABSTRACT

A quench chamber apparatus capable of applying a fluid to a form upon exit from and in close proximity to a die aperture. The quench apparatus is comprised of an open-ended quench chamber at least partially longitudinally bounded by a sleeve with a plurality of holes extending therethrough in a generally radial direction to at least one peripherally disposed spaced apart fluid distributing channel. The distributing channel is further longitudinally bounded by a backer block.

United States Patent Matthews et al.

[54] PLUID QUENCH APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Russell E. Matthews, George S..

,F a telb th, M ?l .Ml

Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company, M d. rMi -c W. .3 h

Filed: Oct. 19, 1970 Appl. No.: 81,663

US. Cl ..72/342, 72/463 Int. Cl ..B21d 22/00, B2ld 37/18 Field of Search ..72/342, 253, 463

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1941 Fisher ..72/342X 1/1968 Foerster ..72/342X 51 Sept. 19, 1972 Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-R. M. Rogers Attorney-Griswold & Burdick and William R. Norris [57] ABSTRACT A quench chamber apparatus capable of applying a fluid to a form upon exit from and in close proximity to a die aperture. The quench apparatus is comprised of an open-ended quench chamber at least partially longitudinally bounded by a sleeve with a plurality of holes extending therethrough in a generally radial direction to at least one peripherally disposed spaced apart fluid distributing channel. The distributing channel is further longitudinally bounded by a backer block.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 19 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTORS. usseflf. MOf/he (4/; ge 5. Poems/er BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to metal working, but more specifically to a means for quenching forms upon exit from a die orifice. Oftentimes it is desirable or necessary to fluid quench an extruded or drawn form after the form exits from a die aperture. It is occasionally necessary to fluid quench the form in close proximity, both in time and distance, to the die aperture to achieve desired physical properties or for production considerations.

Various devices have heretofore been used for rapidly cooling heated materials. Apparatus for cooling extrusions in close proximity to an extrusion die have included sectionalized devices comprised of at least two parts or sections which cooperate and mate in planes generally perpendicular to a die aperture. Grooves were positioned within the sections in the mating faces to form passageways to a centrally located quench chamber from a coolant supply source. Such devices satisfactorily cool the heated shapes, but are cumbersome and difficult to construct.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an apparatus to fluid quench forms upon exit from a die aperture, which incorporates the added benefit of being readily fabricated.

It is a further object to provide a readily constructable apparatus which can be utilized to fluid quench a form substantially simultaneously with exit of the form from a die.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforementioned objects have been realized in the current invention, which involves as a principal embodiment a quench chamber apparatus which comprises a hacker block with a first side and a second side opposite the first side, said block defining a quench cavity extending therethrough from the first side to the second side and a fluid passage extending to a sleeve having therethrough a plurality of generally radially extending holes. The sleeve is positioned within the quench cavity and apart from said block to define a distributing channel therebetween. The sleeve interiorly defines a quench. chamber for rapidly quenching heated material. A securing means is utilized to retain the sleeve within the hacker block while a fluid passes through the fluid passage into the fluid distributing channel and then through the plurality of holes into the quench chamber.

This quench chamber-apparatus can be axially positioned and spaced apart from a die to achieve a desired delay between forming of a substance and fluid quenching of the completed form. Conversely, to reduce the delay between forming in the die orifice and cooling, the quench chamber apparatus can be positioned in such a manner that the quench chamber is transversely bounded by a die and die aperture on the entry end and open-ended on the exit end. By positioning in this location quenching of a shape substantially simultaneously with completion of the die forming can be realized. Quenching a shape within about two-thirds of a second after it leaves the die is substantially simultaneous.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying figures are cross-sectioned views of the present invention. Referring to the drawing, wherein the corresponding parts have been designated by the hereinafter described numerals:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a preferred fluid quench apparatus;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial cross-sectional views of embodiments depicting optional means for securing the sleeve within the hacker block;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section of an embodiment incorporating a fluid supply plenum and fluid supply grooves at the inlet end of the backer block to provide for rapid quenching;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment which incorporates a fluid supply plenum at the inlet end of the backer block to provide cooling of the adjacent extrusion die.

The quench chamber assembly of FIG. 1 is longitudinally adjacent and detachably secured at plane 11 to die 12, which contains an aperture 13, by an appropriate attaching means. Suitable attaching means can include bolting l4, clamping, and sufiicient pressure transmitted through the extrusion assembly from the ram to hold the die to the quench assembly. Quench chamber 15 is longitudinally enclosed by sleeve 16 and transversely by die 12 and aperture 13 on the inlet end and open-ended on the exit end. Sleeve 16 is interiorly of uniform dimension. A plurality of spaced apart holes 17 from which a fluid eminates communicate radially and, optionally, diagonally through sleeve 16 to a longitudinally extending fluid distributing channel 18, which is peripherally disposed around and spaced apart from chamber 15 by sleeve 16. Channel 18 is bounded transversely by the hereinafter described sleeve securing means which is comprised of flange l9 affixed to one end of said sleeve and the partially exteriorly threaded section 20 and longitudinally by sleeve 16 and backer block 21. A basically regularly shaped recess or receptacle 22 extends transversely outwardly from the interior of said block 21 to receive flange 19.

Backer block 21 is machined in a configuration to afford the detachably mounting of said block to mate with die 12 along plane 11. The exterior periphery of block 21 is so shaped to afford placement of said block within the particular equipment to which the quench chamber apparatus is affixed.

Sleeve 16 is detachably secured to backer block 21 by inserting flange 19 in flange receptacle 22 and applying forces to said sleeve by a tension exerting restraining means to secure the flange within the flange receptacle. One embodiment of the tension exerting restraining means may be operated by tightening an interiorly threaded collar 23 on an exteriorly threaded section 20 of sleeve 16. A sealing gasket can be incorporated with said restraining means to avoid seepage of quench media between the backer block and the sleeve. Fluid passages 24 extend inwardly from the outlet end of backer block 21 and continuously extend to fluid distributing chamber 18. Fluid passages 24 are generally utilized for furnishing fluid to the fluid distributing chamber 18, but the passages exceeding one for fluid supply can optionally be utilized as fluid exit passages. Said fluid passages 24 can have interior threads 25 toward the outlet end of the quench assembly to acceptfluid source and, optionally, return transmitting members.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 is illustrative of a means of securing a multipiece sleeve 16a in mating contact with receivers 30 and 30a positioned in the interior surface of backer block 21. Sleeve 16a and receivers 30 and 30a are held in contact by joining the individual pieces of sleeve 164 after positioning within backer block 21 by means generally known to those skilled in the art; such as soldering, welding, or adhesive bonding; and/or joining in a similar manner the opposite ends of the sleeve sections at the junction with receivers 30 and 30a. Separate means of holding the first and second ends of sleeve 16a substantially stationary in relation to the'receivers can be used.

FIG. 3 is still another example of a means to secure sleeve 16b to receivers 30b and 300 in backer block 21. One end of' sleeve 16b is incontact with receiver 30b, which is so shaped to accept sleeve 16b and also space the sleeve apart from the backer block to form fluid distributing channel 18. The second end of sleeve 16b abuts on receiver 30c,- which is a ridge extending inwardly from backer block 21 or. a separate spacer, to form fluid distributing channel 18. In this embodiment, as in that shown in FIG. 2, the fluid distributing channel is defined longitudinally by backer block 21 and sleeve 16b and transversely by the receiver projecting inwardly from the backer block toward quench chamber 15.

Either or both ends of sleeve 16b can be secured by means of compressive forces exerted by a member represented by compression clamp 31 at the outlet side of the backer block bearing on said sleeve. However, joining the sleeve by other means at either or both ends is also acceptable.

To provide the quench media access to quench chamber. 15 at even closer position to die 12, the modification shown in FIG. 4 and hereinafter described can be incorporated in the beforementioned embodiments. This combination will provide improved cooling capacity and will, moreover, retain the ease of fabrication and assembly aspects of the present invention. This optional. embodiment of the quench chamber assembly additionally includes at least one secondary fluid passage 32 extending from fluid distributing channel 18 to fluid supply plenum 33. Fluid supply plenum 33 is defined by backer block 21 and die 12 or optionally by said backer block and insulating gasket 35. Grooves 34, which extend from said plenum to quench chamber 15, are at least partially sealed on one side by die 12 and optionally insulating gasket 35. The grooves can be incorporated into this apparatus in addition to holes 17. Moreover, grooves can be machined in die 12, backer block 21, or a combination of the backer block and flange 19.

Insulating gasket 35 is generally needed only when it is desired to have an enhanced quench rate and simultaneously retard loss of heat from the die.

FIG. depicts an alternative construction wherein the hereinbefore described fluid supply plenum 33 and secondary fluid passage 32 are extensions of fluid passage 24. When the quench assembly is detachably attached to die 12, quench media flowing through said fluid passage will remove excessive heat from the die in addition to quenching the shaped form.

In the aforementioned embodiments the sleeve can be a single piece of flat or coiled material joined to form a sleeve of the desired configuration prior to being assembled with the hacker block. Examples are sheet or plate formed to the proper shape and connected at the abutting ends, by soldering, welding, brazing, adhesive bonding, or by mechanical joining methods known to those skilled in the art. An extrusion of cylindrical shape or of another desired configuration or machinable thereto can also be advantageously utilized without necessitating joining the ends as is desired with sleeves fabricated from coiled or flat materials. While it is preferable the sleeve be assembled into a unitized shape preceding insertion into the quench cavity, sleeve sections can be also joined after being placed within the cavity.

It is highly preferred that the quench chamber device comprise a backer block having a substantially longitudinal quench cavity extending between opposite or opposing inlet and outlet sides and a fluid passage extending to the quench cavity. The device further includes a hollow cylindrical sleeve having a flange on one end adapted to mate with the backer block within the quench cavity. The sleeve is spaced apart from the backer block to define an annular fluid distributing channel between the backer block and sleeve. The sleeve peripherally encloses a plurality of holes about 0.005 inch to about one-eighth inch in diameter. When the cooling media is a liquid, such as water, said holes are preferably about 0.005 inch to about 0.025 inch in diameter. The holes communicate from the annular fluid distributing channel to an open ended quench chamber defined by said flanged sleeve. A means of exerting tensile forces on the sleeve to restrain the sleeve in a substantially stationary position within the block is in operational contact with the second end of the flanged sleeve.

In use the quench media or fluid acceptable for magnesium alloys and aluminum alloys is generally water.

However, other liquids and gases are satisfactory and this invention is not dependent upon the specific quench media. The fluid flows into the fluid passages, thence into the distributing channel and subsequently sprayed through the holes onto the hot shaped form passing longitudinally through the quench chamber from the die aperture. Quenching or cooling of said form is thereby effectuated.

The present invention may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope thereof and it is understood that the invention is limited only as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A quench chamber apparatus which comprises:

a. a backer block with a first side and a second side opposite the first side, said' block defining a quench cavity extending therethrough from the first side to the second side and a fluid passage extending to the quench cavity;

b. a sleeve, having therethrough a plurality of generally radially extending holes, positioned within the quench cavity and apart from said block to define a fluid distributing channel therebetween, said sleeve interiorly defining a quench chamber; and

c. a securing means to retain said sleeve within said backer block while a fluid passes through the fluid passage into the fluid distributing channel 'and through the plurality of holes into the quench chamber, said securing means comprising an inwardly extending receiver, positioned in an interior surface of said block, adapted to accept at least one end of said sleeve and suitably space'part said sleeve from said block to form the fluid distributing channel defined at least at one transverse end by said receiver; a first means to hold one end of said sleeve in said receiver; and a second means to hold the second end of said sleeve substantially stationary.

2. A quench chamber apparatus which comprises:

a. a backer block with a first side and a second side opposite the first side, said block defining a quench cavity extending therethrough from the first side to the second side and a fluid passage extending to the quench cavity;

b. a sleeve, having therethrough a plurality of generally radially extending holes, positioned within the quench cavity and apart from said block to define a fluid distributing channel therebetween, said sleeve interiorly defining a quench chamber; and

c. a securing means to retain said sleeve within said backer block while a fluid passes through the fluid passage into the fluid distributing channel and through the plurality of holes into the quench chamber, said securing means comprising a flange afflxed to one end of said sleeve; a flange receptacle in said backer block to receive said flange; and a tension exerting restraining means in operational contact with the second end of said sleeve for applying forces to said sleeve to secure said flange within said flange receptacle.

3. A quench chamber apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first means is a soldered junction between said backer block and said sleeve.

4. A quench chamber apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said second means is a soldered junction between said backer block and said sleeve.

5. A quench chamber apparatus which comprises:

a. a backer block having a substantially longitudinal quench cavity extending between opposite inlet and outlet sides and a fluid passage extending to said longitudinal quench cavity;

a sleeve, having a flange on one end adapted to mate with said backer block positioned within the quench cavity and apart from said backer block to define a fluid distributing channel between said backer block and saidsleeve, said sleeve peripherally encloses a plurality of holes communicating from the fluid distributing channel to an open ended quench chamber defined by said flanged sleeve; and

. a tension exerting restraining means in operational contact with the second end of said sleeve secures said sleeve within said backer block when a fluid passes from the fluid passage into the fluid distributing channel and then through the plurality of holes into the quench chamber. 6. The quench chamber apparatus as recited in claim 5 in which the holes in said sleeve are from about 0.005 1? iiifirlrlcifc a i n ielfilrgl uii ecned in claim 5 in which said flanged sleeve is generally cylindrical in shape and said fluid distributing channel in an annulus between said flanged sleeve and said backer block.

8. The quench chamber apparatus as recited in claim 5 which additionally includes a fluid supply plenum defined by said block and a die.

9. The quench chamber apparatus as recited in claim 5 which additionally includes a fluid supply plenum defined by said block and an insulating gasket.

Ill 

1. A quench chamber apparatus which comprises: a. a backer block with a first side and a second side opposite the first side, said block defining a quench cavity extending therethrough from the first side to the second side and a fluid passage extending to the quench cavity; b. a sleeve, having therethrough a plurality of generally radially extending holes, positioned within the quench cavity and apart from said block to define a fluid distributing channel therebetween, said sleeve interiorly defining a quench chamber; and c. a securing means to retain said sleeve within said backer block while a fluid passes through the fluid passage into the fluid distributing channel and through the plurality of holes into the quench chamber, said securing means comprising an inwardly extending receiver, positioned in an interior surface of said block, adapted to accept at least one end of said sleeve and suitably space part said sleeve from said block to form the fluid distributing channel defined at least at one transverse end by said receiver; a first means to hold one end of said sleeve in said receiver; and a second means to hold the second end of said sleeve substantially stationary.
 2. A quench chamber apparatus which comprises: a. a backer block with a first side and a second side opposite the first side, said block defining a quench cavity extending therethrough from the first side to the second side and a fluid passage extending to the quench cavity; b. a sleeve, having therethrough a plurality of generally radially extending holes, positioned within the quench cavity and apart from said block to define a fluid distributing channel therebetween, said sleeve interiorly defining a quench chamber; and c. a securing means to retain said sleeve within said backer block while a fluid passes through the fluid passage into the fluid distributing channel and through the plurality of holes into the quench chamber, said securing means comprising a flange affixed to one end of said sleeve; a flange receptacle in said backer block to receive said flange; and a tension exerting restraining means in operational contact with the second end of said sleeve for applying forces to said sleeve to secure said flange within said flange receptacle.
 3. A quench chamber apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first means is a soldered junction between said backer block and said sleeve.
 4. A quench chamber apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said second means is a soldered junctiOn between said backer block and said sleeve.
 5. A quench chamber apparatus which comprises: a. a backer block having a substantially longitudinal quench cavity extending between opposite inlet and outlet sides and a fluid passage extending to said longitudinal quench cavity; b. a sleeve, having a flange on one end adapted to mate with said backer block positioned within the quench cavity and apart from said backer block to define a fluid distributing channel between said backer block and said sleeve, said sleeve peripherally encloses a plurality of holes communicating from the fluid distributing channel to an open ended quench chamber defined by said flanged sleeve; and c. a tension exerting restraining means in operational contact with the second end of said sleeve secures said sleeve within said backer block when a fluid passes from the fluid passage into the fluid distributing channel and then through the plurality of holes into the quench chamber.
 6. The quench chamber apparatus as recited in claim 5 in which the holes in said sleeve are from about 0.005 inch to about one-eighth inch in diameter.
 7. The quench chamber apparatus as recited in claim 5 in which said flanged sleeve is generally cylindrical in shape and said fluid distributing channel in an annulus between said flanged sleeve and said backer block.
 8. The quench chamber apparatus as recited in claim 5 which additionally includes a fluid supply plenum defined by said block and a die.
 9. The quench chamber apparatus as recited in claim 5 which additionally includes a fluid supply plenum defined by said block and an insulating gasket. 